Officer-involved shootings (OIS), though relatively rare when compared to the number of interactions law enforcement officers have with the public each day, tend to be high profile events that draw media coverage and sometimes citizen concern.

It is essential for police departments to demonstrate accountability to the community through an impartial, transparent, and systematic investigative process. Systematic investigations of officer-involved shootings may uncover deficiencies that lead to necessary changes in policy and training, and avert civil lawsuits. Officers need to understand the routine processes of OIS investigations so that they won’t feel singled out and unfairly scrutinized.